Pests are organisms that cause undesirable damage to plants, animals, and structures. Control methods include prevention, suppression, and eradication.
Predators (naturally occurring creatures that eat or remove pests) and other natural controls like nematodes and fungi can help control some pest populations. Microbial pesticides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), can also be used. Visit https://natureshieldpestsolutions.com/ to learn more.
Ideally, pest control should be based on prevention. This means preventing the presence of pests or keeping their numbers below the level that causes unacceptable harm. This approach is possible with physical or mechanical controls and some natural methods such as habitat modification, exclusion or quarantine. For example, in homes, it is important to move away piles of logs and leaves that can be used for nesting or shelter by rodents and other pests. It is also essential to keep gardens clear of debris and not over-water plants.
Often, it is not possible to prevent the appearance of a particular pest but its number can be kept below acceptable levels by a combination of approaches. These might include scouting (regular searching for, identifying, and assessing numbers of pests and the damage they are causing), suppression (reducing a pest population to an acceptable level) and eradication (destroying an entire pest population).
Pests thrive only as long as their food, water or shelter supplies last. The climate influences the growth of their host plants and thus may suppress or encourage pest populations. Natural barriers, such as mountains and large bodies of water restrict the spread of many pests. Other natural factors, such as predatory insects and birds, parasitic plants and pathogens, can also help to control pest populations.
There are some types of pests that are essentially continuous or sporadic, and these can be controlled more easily by prevention than by scouting and other forms of monitoring. For example, it is easy to prevent a pest such as fruit flies from breeding in kitchens by ensuring that rubbish bins are emptied frequently and the floors of cupboards, pantries and refrigerators are cleaned regularly to remove spilled foodstuffs.
When physical or chemical pest control is necessary, it should be applied only when the benefits of the treatment outweigh the risks. It is vital to ensure that any pesticides used are designed for the specific pest and are correctly mixed and applied. It is also important to follow label instructions closely and use the least amount of chemicals necessary. When using pesticides, it is advisable to take extra care in sensitive areas such as hospitals and homes with small children and babies.
Suppression
The goal of suppression is to reduce pest numbers below a threshold that causes less damage than would occur without control. This is typically a short-term strategy, and may involve physical controls or chemical treatments.
Some pests can be kept at bay by improving sanitation, reducing food and shelter availability or by controlling their movements. This approach can be used in urban and agricultural settings. Examples include removing garbage from the landscape regularly, picking up fallen fruit or vegetables in the garden, and cleaning and disinfecting equipment between uses. The use of crop rotation, sanitary handling of seeds and transplants, and the proper design of food-handling areas can also prevent the spread of some pests.
A variety of natural predators and parasites can help manage pest populations. These can be as simple as releasing ladybugs to eat aphids or as complex as using microbial pesticides, which are made from bacteria like Bacillus thuringiensis (better known by the brand name Bt) that have been engineered to target certain insects.
Other forms of natural pest control include crop rotation, the use of disease-resistant varieties and the insertion of barriers to limit pests’ access to plants, food or water. Resistant varieties are generally more vigorous or tolerant than the types they are designed to replace and are less likely to be damaged by pests. The insertion of biological barriers, such as strips of mulch or wood, can prevent pests from getting into the garden.
Eradication is a rare goal in outdoor pest situations, and is generally reserved for indoor environments such as homes, schools, hospitals and office buildings, and food processing or preparation facilities. In these cases, the use of sterile seeds and transplants, sanitation, and pest-repelling chemicals can be combined with fumigation to achieve results.
Many common household products work as effective repellents against pests, including distilled vinegar, lemon peels, cayenne pepper and cinnamon. Ask your pest control professional to recommend specific, non-toxic repellents that work best for your situation. Some pesticides can act as both a repellent and an insecticide, and this dual action can be very effective in managing pest populations.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
When modern pesticides were first developed, they were used extensively to kill the targeted pest quickly. Unfortunately, this led to the evolution of resistant pests, and scientists began to realize that a more sustainable solution was needed. Enter integrated pest management (IPM) — a decision-making process that integrates non-chemical pest control methods with the judicious use of chemical solutions when necessary.
IPM focuses on monitoring and identifying pests, learning about their life cycles and biology, and making decisions that are flexible and take into account all options. This can include monitoring and scouting crops in fields, accurately identifying insects or other organisms, using action thresholds to guide decisions on when to spray, and keeping detailed records of all observations and actions taken. This reduces the risk of over-spraying, using the wrong type of pesticide or pesticides, or applying them too often.
Monitoring involves checking a crop, landscape, or building on a regular basis to find out which pests are present and how serious their impact is. This information can help to determine whether the pests can be tolerated, or whether control measures should be triggered. IPM is all about preventing problems before they occur, and this may mean changing environmental conditions to make it less favorable for the pests in question, or selecting plants that are more resistant to damage by the pests. It can also involve making changes to the way a plant is managed, such as pruning to prevent overgrowth that attracts pests or caulking cracks to keep out insects and rodents.
The most important thing to remember about IPM is that it must be a continual process. Things change in the field and garden over time, so a pest management strategy must be constantly reevaluated. It is also a good idea to consult with local experts, such as county extension agents or university IPM specialists.
EPA has a number of resources for implementing IPM, including a National Road Map for Integrated Pest Management (PDF) and the Federal Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee (FIPMCC). The FIPMCC brings together federal agencies involved in IPM research, education, and implementation, as well as public and private sector organizations, such as the USDA-funded Regional Integrated Pest Management Centers.
Environmental Controls
Environmental controls are the policies, standards and procedures that a business creates to ensure a pest-free environment. These may include written protocols for employee behavior, facilities cleaning, pest control, and a variety of other aspects of a facility’s operations.
Most professional pest control services use chemical-based pesticides to treat infestations. These chemicals can be dangerous to employees and customers, so it is important for these companies to provide training and proper equipment for handling pesticides. While traditional chemical solutions are still the most common, newer products are being developed for improved safety and effectiveness. These include eco-friendly and green chemical mixes.
The most effective way to prevent pests from entering your home is to remove their food, water and shelter sources. Keep food in sealed containers and store garbage in tightly-covered cans. Keep garbage bins regularly emptied and repaired, and fix leaky pipes. Avoid storing tin cans, cardboard and paper in attics or crawl spaces.
In addition to removing food, water and shelter, pests can also be controlled by using baits or traps. These are often more convenient to use than sprays, and they typically offer less risk of exposure to people and pets. In addition to catching and killing pests, these methods also deter them from returning.
These products, generally available at local hardware stores or online, are an economical way to control some common pests, such as ants and flies. They may be toxic to humans and pets if not used correctly, so it is important to follow proper storage and disposal guidelines. When using these products, always read the product label and follow instructions and warnings carefully.
Some pests, such as rodents and roaches, can be controlled with baits or traps. These are usually more convenient to use than sprays, and can be effective when used in combination with other methods. They are also safer for humans and pets if used correctly, but are not recommended in kitchens or pantries. These products should be stored safely and out of the reach of children and pets.